23 Divine Hairstyles To Complement Your Saree

All it takes is nine yards of a beautiful saree to make any woman look like an ethereal Indian goddess! But when you wear your saree, you want your hair to look equally tasteful. Keep reading to learn about different stunning hairstyles to compliment your ethnic getup.

The saree is not just a simple style statement. It is a symbol of femininity, fashion, and independence. A woman may look graceful wearing a saree, but she will never be delicate enough for anyone to break! Over the years, the saree has become the modern Indian woman’s makeover attire. You put on a saree, and you feel fierce and independent and that you can do anything! And your hair is the ultimate accessory to pair with it! Your crowning glory.

But maybe you aren’t sure which hairstyle to pick, seeing as there are so many options out there. Fret not. We have you covered! Keep reading to explore the best hairstyles to try out with your saree. Scroll down!

Before You Get Started

• If you are wearing a heavily embellished saree and have long hair, go for updos. This will prevent accidental tangling of hair.
• Minimal hairstyles look classy on solid sarees made of rich silk materials. Leave the pallu open and opt for traditional chokers and kangans for jewelry. A simple center or side-parted low bun will look exquisite for this look.
• If you are going for an Indian bridal look, almost nothing is too much. Do consider the dupatta or elaborate traditional headpieces before choosing the final hairstyle.

23 Hairstyles For Sarees That Will Make You Look Like A Goddess

1. Half Updo With Subtle Pouf

Another thing the veteran actress can’t go wrong with besides her saree choices is her hairstyle selection. This hairdo complements all saree types, be it traditional or Indo-western silhouettes, and it is surely something we all can learn from her. Moreover, the minimalist hairstyle suits all face shapes, especially oval and round, as it can help create an elongated and slim illusion.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Bobby pins
• Hair spray
• Blow dryer
• Round brush

How To Style

1. Brush out any tangles or knots from your tresses.
2. Start by blow-drying your hair.
3. Brush the ends outwards with the help of a round brush.
4. Backcomb the front hair and gather it at the back to create a half updo.
5. Slightly push the gathered hair to create a puff and pin it to the back of the head.
6. Secure it with bobby pins.

2. Twisted Half Updo With Ponytail Braid

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Bobby pins
• Elastic bands
• Hair accessories
• Texturizing spray
• Medium hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Detangle your hair after washing and drying it.
2. Backcomb the front mane, separate two inches of hair, and twist the section.
3. Secure the twisted strands to the back of the head using bobby pins to create the twisted half updo.
4. Now, create a half ponytail and secure it with an elastic band.
5. Twist the ponytail and take out strands from beneath the previous ponytail to create a new one.
6. Secure it using an elastic band.
7. Follow the same steps until you reach the hair’s end and secure the end with an elastic band.
8. Spritz some hairspray to keep the hairdo intact.
9. Finally, adorn it with some hair accessories.

3. Messy Low Bun

What’s the point of wearing a sexy backless blouse if you don’t show it off, right? So, it’s time to tie up your hair (and flaunt that gorgeous back tattoo, maybe?) and go for this chic messy bun style that will work perfectly to complement your sleeveless and backless blouse. And the best part is that it suits every face shape.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Texturizing spray
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair.
2. Generously spritz on some texturizing spray all over your hair.
3. Part your hair on one side.
4. Pick up a 2 inch section of hair from the front (from the left side of your parting), twist it a couple of times, and pin it at the back of your head.
5. Repeat the previous step on the right side.
6. Gather all your hair and tie it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck.
7. Messily roll up this ponytail into a bun and secure it to your head by inserting bobby pins into it from all directions.
8. You can mess up the bun a little more with your hands if you want to go for a shaggier look.
9. Finish off with a few spritzes of light hold hairspray to set the look in place.

Quick Tip

You may also accessorize it with a pearl or floral hairpiece for an elegant and trendy look.

4. Half Up Curls

Straight hair may hold a special place in some people’s hearts, but curly hair has a beauty of its own. So, what better way to style up your elegant pattu saree than with some graceful curls? Go for a half-up style that will help you show off your jewelry as well. This style is perfect for round and square face shapes.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Heat protectant
• 5 inch curling iron
• Bumpit (small)
• Bobby pins
• Strong hold hairspray
• Fresh flower

How To Style

1. Prep your washed, dried hair with some heat protectant.
2. Brush out all the knots and tangles from it.
3. Picking up 1 inch sections of hair at a time, curl all your hair.
4. Part your hair on one side.
5. Insert a bumpit under your hair at the crown of your head.
6. Gather all the hair from the front and pin it in the center, right under your bumpit, at the back of your head.
7. Spritz on some hairspray and pin in a fresh flower to finish off the look.

5. Loose Curls

No other saree can beat the elegance and grace emitted by a simple chiffon saree. So really, you don’t need to go for frills and fancies when styling your hair for it. Just take a page out of Madhuri Dixit’s book. With just a simple loose curls style, she has managed to keep her gorgeous saree the center of her ensemble. And if you have an oval or oblong face like Madhuri, this hairstyle with saree will suit you perfectly.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Heat protectant
• 2 inch curling iron
• Smoothening serum

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your washed, dried hair.
2. Apply some heat protectant to your hair.
3. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, curl the lower half of your hair.
4. Apply some smoothening serum to get rid of any frizz.
5. Lightly run a hair brush through your curls to open them up and finish off the look.

6. Half Up Puff

I get it. You’re worried that wearing a saree is going to make you look older than your age. Well, there’s a simple solution for that. You can go for a youthful hairstyle to offset the aging effect of your saree. Take Madhuri Dixit, for instance. She has gone for a glamorous half up puff hairstyle on curls that takes at least 10 years off her face. This look works especially well on people with round or diamond face shapes.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Heat protectant
• 5 inch curling iron
• Teasing brush
• Fine toothed comb
• Bobby pins
• Smoothening serum
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots from your washed and dried hair.
2. Apply some heat protectant.
3. Curl the lower half of all your hair.
4. Tease down all the hair at the crown and sides of your head.
5. Rub some smoothening serum all over your fine toothed comb.
6. Use this comb to sleek back all the hair at the front over the teased hair.
7. Gather and pin up this sleeked back hair in the center at the back of your head.
8. Fan out your curls and spritz on some hairspray to finish off the look.

Quick Tip

The length of the hair does not matter for this style. Short, medium-length, and long hair can easily carry off this style. However, the size of the puff needs to be adjusted based on the length.

7. Sleek Low Bun

If you’re not taking hairstyling tips from Deepika Padukone, then what are you even doing with your life? Take a look at this one for a second. To keep the focus on her embroidered saree and heavy antique silver jewelry, she has gone for a sleek low bun that adds a bit of boldness to the otherwise flirty and sophisticated ensemble. If you have a heart shaped face, you need to try out this hairstyle right NOW.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Hair gel
• Fine toothed comb
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Strong hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your washed, dried hair.
2. Part your hair down the middle.
3. Apply a generous amount of hair gel to all the hair at the top and sides of your head.
4. Sleek down your hair with the help of a fine toothed comb.
5. Tie up all your hair into a low ponytail.
6. Roll the ponytail into a neat bun and secure it to your head with the help of bobby pins.
7. Finish off with some strong hold hairspray to smoothen down any flyaways.

8. Texturized Curls With Maang Teeka

Want to jazz up a rather plain looking saree? Or maybe you want to add a bit of oomph to your mum’s old saree? Whatever the case, texturized curls are here to your rescue. They are bold, yet feminine, and add just that bit of glamor that your saree needs. And the best part? They look good on all face shapes.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Heat protectant
• 5 inch curling iron
• Texturizing spray
• Bobby pins
• Maang teeka

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair and apply some heat protectant to it.
2. Picking up 2 inch sections at a time, curl the lower half of all your hair.
3. Spritz on some texturizing spray all over your curls and run your fingers through them to open them up.
4. Part your hair down the middle.
5. Loosely pick up all the hair in the front and pin it at the back of your head.
6. Put on your maang teeka to finish off the look.

9. Low Side Bun

Look like a powerful Indian goddess who don’t need no man (because, really, you don’t) with this edgy side bun look. Be it any saree, in any design, this traditional hair look is bound to suit it perfectly. But to really nail that goddess look, finish this hairdo off with a gold teeka headdress. Especially perfect for people with long faces.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Smoothening serum
• Light hold hairspray
• Gold teeka headdress

How To Style

1. Remove all the knots from your hair with a hair brush.
2. Apply smoothening serum to get rid of all that frizz.
3. Part your hair down the middle.
4. Tie all your hair into a low side ponytail.
5. Pick up a 2 inch section of hair from your ponytail, roll it into a ringlet, and pin it to your head right near the base of your ponytail.
6. Keep repeating the previous step until all the hair in your ponytail has been rolled and pinned up to create a bun.
7. Spritz on some hairspray and put on your traditional gold headdress to finish off the look.

10. Side Fishtail Braid

A traditional saree calls for a traditional braid. And what better braid to go for than an intricate fishtail! Add a bit of sparkle to your fishtail braid with some gold floral accessories and a maang teeka and get ready to rock that wedding. And if you have a round face, this hairstye on a saree will work even more perfectly for you.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Texturizing spray
• Hair elastics
• Small floral accessories
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair.
2. Spritz on some texturizing spray to give your hair some hold.
3. Part your hair on one side.
4. Gather all your hair and tie it into a low ponytail.
5. Divide your hair into 2 sections.
6. Fishtail braid your ponytail by alternately picking up a thin section of hair from the outer side of one section and adding it to the inner side of the other section.
7. Once you’ve fishtail braided till the end of your ponytail, secure it with a hair elastic.
8. Cut off the hair elastic at the top of your braid.
9. Spritz on some hairspray and insert some flower accessories into your braid to finish off the look.

11. Necklace Headdress

Heading out to a function and don’t have time to dress up heavily? Then I’ve got the easiest hack for you! Simply take one of your (or, let’s face it, your mum’s) heavy gold necklaces and wear it around your head to create a makeshift traditional headdress. This works especially well on people with long faces and big foreheads.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• Straightening iron
• Smoothening serum
• A gold necklace

How To Style

1. Prep your washed, dried hair with some heat protectant.
2. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, straighten all your hair.
3. Part your hair down the middle.
4. Apply some smoothening serum to get rid of any frizz.
5. Place your gold necklace across your forehead and secure it at the back of your head to finish off the look.

12. Beachy Waves

Who says you can’t sport casual hair looks on a saree? Definitely not me. And if your heart wants to sport beachy waves on a heavy saree, then who are you to deny it? If you’ve got a heart shaped face, these beachy waves will complement your facial structure perfectly.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• 2 inch curling iron
• Hair brush
• Maang teeka

How To Style

1. Apply some heat protectant to your washed, dried hair.
2. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, curl all your hair.
3. Lightly brush your hair through your curls to loosen them up.
4. Part your hair down the middle.
5. Put on your maang teeka to finish off the look.

13. Puffed Up Bun

Nothing can beat the beauty of a neat bun when it comes to hairstyles for sarees. It’s graceful, it’s elegant, and it shows that you are totally in command. Try it out over any saree and you’ll see what I’m talking about. And if you have a round face, this hairstyle will work amazingly to elongate your face.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Texturizing spray
• Teasing brush
• Fine toothed comb
• Smoothening serum
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Strong hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Detangle your washed and dried hair with a hair brush.
2. Spritz on some texturizing spray to give your hair some hold.
3. Tease down all the hair at the crown of your head and above your ears.
4. Rub some smoothening serum all over your fine toothed comb.
5. Use this comb to sleek back your front hair over the teased hair.
6. Gather all your hair and tie it into a mid-level ponytail.
7. Roll this ponytail into a bun and secure it to your head with some bobby pins.
8. Finish off with a few spritzes of strong hold hairspray to set the updo in place.

14. Chic Swept Back Bun

If Deepika Padukone is sporting a hairstyle, you best believe we should be following suit. To complement her gorgeous baby blue and gold designer saree, she has opted for a swept back bun style that is as chic and stylish as it gets. This hairdo is perfect for anyone with a heart shaped face.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Sea salt spray
• Teasing brush
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair.
2. Spritz on sea salt spray all over your hair generously.
3. Lightly tease down the hair at the crown of your head.
4. Use your hair brush to brush back all your hair over the teased hair.
5. Tie all your hair in a mid-level ponytail.
6. Divide your ponytail into 2 sections.
7. Twist these sections right till the ends and intertwine them with each other until they naturally start forming a bun.
8. Secure this bun to your head with the help of bobby pins.
9. Spritz on some light hold hairspray to finish off the look.

15. Curly Ponytail

A unique saree calls for a unique hairstyle. Shilpa Shetty has kept this in mind when picking a hairstyle for her avant garde saree gown outfit. Instead of more traditional hairdos like a bun or a braid, she has styled her hair in a more casual ponytail. This hairstyle would work perfectly for any face shape.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• 5 inch curling iron
• Fine toothed comb
• Hair elastic
• Straightening iron

How To Style

1. Prep your washed and dried hair with some heat protectant.
2. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, curl the lower half of all your hair.
3. Comb back your hair and tie it into a mid-level ponytail.
4. Pull out a couple of sections of hair from the front to frame your face.
5. Straighten these face framing sections to finish off the look.

16. Bubble Ponytail

Trust Shilpa Shetty to add a badass spin to a simple black and white handloom saree. And how! With just simple accented twists and a quirky bubble styled ponytail, she has completely transformed her look. This, again, is a hairdo that will look good on any face shape.

What You Need

• Hair brush
• Teasing brush
• Hair elastics
• Bobby pins

How To Style

1. Brush out the knots from your washed, dried hair.
2. Part your hair down the middle.
3. Pick up a 2 inch section of hair from the left side of your parting, twist it a few times, and pin it at the back of your head.
4. Repeat the previous step on the other side.
5. Gather all your hair and tie it into a ponytail right where you pinned back your front section of hair.
6. Pick up a thin section of hair from your ponytail, wrap it around its base, and secure it with a bobby pin to hide the hair elastic from view.
7. Tease down the underside of your ponytail to create volume.
8. Smoothen down the upper section of your ponytail over the teased down section.
9. Tie a hair elastic right at the bottom to create the bubble effect.
10. Take a thin section of hair from the tail end of your ponytail, wrap it around the hair elastic and pin it in place to hide the hair elastic from view.

17. Gajra Bun

It doesn’t get more traditional than a gajra now, does it? This beautiful garland of jasmines has the ability to transform the simplest of hairdos into something absolutely gorgeous. Besides, what better way to show off your blouse with a sexy tie-up back, right? And this hairdo looks great on literally any face shape. (Yay!)

What You Need

• Smoothening serum
• Bobby pins
• Hair elastics
• Gajra

How To Style

1. Prep your washed, dried hair with some smoothening serum.
2. Part your hair on one side.
3. From the front right side of your head, pick up a 2 inch section of hair, twist it a few times and pin it on the side of your head, just past your ear.
4. Repeat the previous step on the left side.
5. Tie all your hair vertically in 2 ponytails, one above the other, at the nape of your neck.
6. Twist the top ponytail right till the end, lay it horizontally against your head, and secure it down with some bobby pins.
7. Tuck the tail of your ponytail under the horizontal bun and pin it down.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the bottom ponytail, making sure the bottom horizontal bun lays right under the top one.
9. Wrap your gajra around your bun and secure it to your head with the help of some bobby pins.

18. Greek Goddess Updo

Ever wondered what a fusion of an Indian goddess and a Greek goddess would look like? Well, wonder no more because Shilpa Shetty has pretty much nailed it. With her pearl white designer saree and her crown braided bun, she truly looks like an ethereal being. If you have an oblong face shape, you’re in for a treat when sporting this hairstyle.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• 5 inch curling iron
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Prep your washed and dried hair with some heat protectant.
2. Part your hair on one side.
3. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, curl all your hair.
4. Leaving out the front section of hair on the side of the parting with more hair, braid all your hair into a low braid at the nape of your neck.
5. Secure the very end of your braid with a hair elastic.
6. Place this braid around the crown of your head until its tail reaches back to its base.
7. Secure the braid to your head in this position with the help of some bobby pins.
8. Finish off with some light hold hairspray to secure the hairdo in place.

19. Side Accent French Braid

Magic happens when you blend traditional and modern styling. Case in point, this look by Shilpa Shetty. To complement her dual shaded crepe saree, she has gone for a biker chick accent braid that adds a hint of edge and boldness to her look. Try this simple hairstyle on a saree if you have a heart shaped face.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• 2 inch curling iron
• Bobby pins
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Apply some heat protectant all over your washed, dried hair.
2. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, curl the lower half of all your hair.
3. Part your hair on one side.
4. From the front of the side with lesser hair, pick up a 2 inch section of hair and divide it into 3 sections.
5. French braid these 3 sections by adding more hair into the braid from either side with each subsequent stitch of braid.
6. Once your French braid has reached the back of your head, secure it to your head with some bobby pins.
7. Spritz on some light hold hairspray to set the braid in place.

20. Low Ponytail

Listen, if you’re wearing a Sabyasachi saree, first of all I’m jealous of you. Secondly, you better keep that undoubtedly gorgeous saree the focus of your look. The best way to do that is to go for a super simple hair look. A sleek low ponytail is perfect for that job. You will be serving up some serious looks with this hairstyle, especially if you have an oval face shape.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• Straightening iron
• Smoothening serum
• Fine toothed comb
• Hair elastic

How To Style

1. Prep your washed and dried hair with some heat protectant.
2. Picking up 2 inch sections of hair at a time, straighten all your hair.
3. Part your hair down the middle.
4. Rub some smoothening serum all over your fine toothed comb.
5. Use this comb to sleek down your hair and tie it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck.

21. Chinese Top Knot

When it comes to bold and unconventional styling choices, Anushka Sharma is your girl. I mean, who would’ve thought of pairing a designer printed saree with a Chinese top knot, right? And yet, somehow, it works. The top knot looks effortlessly chic and makes her look like the modern independent woman she is. And if you have a diamond-shaped face like Anushka, then this style will work especially wonderfully for you.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• Fine toothed comb
• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins

How To Style

1. Apply some heat protectant all over your hair.
2. Picking up 1 inch sections of hair at a time, straighten all your hair until it is poker straight.
3. Rub some smoothening serum all over your fine toothed comb.
4. Use this comb to sleek back all your hair and tie it into a super high ponytail right at the crown of your head.
5. Roll this ponytail into a bun and secure it to your head with some bobby pins.
6. Pull out a few strands of hair from near your ears to frame your face and finish off the look.

22. Braided Bun

Karisma Kapoor is a part of Bollywood royalty (what with being a member of the Kapoor clan), and she dresses every bit the part. if you are looking for that one perfect juda hairstyle for saree, then this is it.

What You Need

• Hair elastic
• Bobby pins
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style

1. Part your washed and dried hair on one side.
2. Tie all your hair into a mid-level ponytail at the back of your head.
3. Braid this ponytail till the very end and secure it with a hair elastic.
4. Roll your braided ponytail into a bun, making it lay flat against your head, and securing it down with bobby pins in the process.
5. Finish off with some light hold hairspray to set the do in place.

23. High Ponytail

Wearing a high ponytail with a saree is a stylish and trendy choice to give your traditional attire a chic and modern look. This simple hairdo can accentuate your facial features (especially if you have a heart or oval-shaped face) and keep you comfortable while you handle that six yards of elegance.

What You Need

• Heat protectant
• Straightening iron
• Smoothening serum
• Comb
• Hair elastic

How To Style

1. Wash and dry your hair and apply a heat protectant.
2. Pick small sections of hair at a time, and straighten.
3. Rub some smoothening serum over a comb and comb back all your hair.
4. Tilt your head slightly forward to gather all your hair toward the top of your head.
5. Use a hair elastic to secure them into a high ponytail.

Infographic: 7 Bun Hairstyles That Are Perfect With A Saree Outfit

You don’t wear a saree without taking care of your hairstyle. Especially these days as hairstyles play an important role in completing the outfit. As low-back and backless blouses are back on the trend again, the choice of hairstyle for most saree outfits involve buns.

Check out the infographic below for a handpicked list of the most popular bun hairstyles that are perfectly suited with saree outfits for various occasions.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do bangs look good on a saree?

Yes, bangs look good on a saree. They are especially perfect for party wear sarees.

Does straight hair go with a saree?

Yes, sleek, straight hair goes perfectly well with a saree. It gives symmetry to your traditional look.

How can I style my saree with short hair?

Loose soft curls, straightened hair, deep side parting, French braid half-up, and loop half-up are some styles you can opt for if you have short hair.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Wondering what hairstyle would go with your gorgeous saree? We have got you covered. Check out this video to find some beautiful hairstyles that will amp up your look.

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Jessica NoonanHairstylist

   

Jessica Noonan is the owner of Friseur NYC, a zero waste, sustainable mobile hair service. She has 35 years of experience behind the chair and a passion for education. She specializes in edgy haircuts emphasizing natural texture and high impact minimalist color. Her fiercely loyal clientele includes salon-shy celebrity indie rockers and creatives. Jessica is an advocate for sustainable beauty,...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor

Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn. Her creative mind excels in crafting...more

Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College. Her academic foundation has equipped her with...more